Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Behavioral Science (m/f/d)
Your tasks
- Coordinate research activites in the ACTWELL project together with Prof. Stachl
- Lead one or more ACTWELL work packages, in particular the sequence and dynamics analyses
- Process and model high-dimensional, intensive longitudinal smartphone log data
- Develop and validate interpretable machine learning models linking behavior and context to well-being outcomes
- Publish as lead and co-author in psychology, computational social science, and interdisciplinary outlets; present at international conferences
- Maintain reproducible analysis pipelines and preregistrations, and prepare code and materials for open release in line with the project's SNSF Data Management Plan
- Contribute to privacy-preserving data handling and the lab's research ethics practice
- Co-supervise doctoral and master's students; contribute to lab meetings and methods workshops
Your profile
- PhD in psychology, computational social science, data science, cognitive science, statistics, computer science, or a related field, completed by the start date or with the defence scheduled this year.
- Strong applied machine learning skills and fluency in R and/or Python
- Experience with intensive longitudinal, sensing, or other high-frequency behavioral data, and with the measurement problems these data raise
- Publication record appropriate to career stage, including at least one first-authored empirical paper
- Commitment to open, reproducible research
- Excellent written and spoken English
The Computational Behavioral Science Lab at the University of St.Gallen, led by Prof. Dr. Clemens Stachl, is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher for the ACTWELL project.
ACTWELL investigates how subjective well-being is expressed in and shaped by everyday behavior. The project combines large smartphone sensing datasets from Europe and the United States with behavioral logs, contextual data (e.g. mobility, outdoor time), and self-reports. Using interpretable machine learning, we study how activities, contexts, and personal characteristics relate to life satisfaction and momentary well-being over time.
We offer: Competitive salary (F8), access to unique existing datasets, generous conference and research funding, international collaborations (Stanford, LMU, SODAS), a supportive research environment, mentoring for competitive postdoctoral fellowships (SNSF, MSCA, Ambizione), and relocation support with hybrid work options.
Application: Submit a single PDF including (1) cover letter, (2) CV with publication list, (3) one first-authored paper or preprint, (4) contact details of two referees, and (5) PhD certificate or expected completion confirmation.
Inspirational Work Environment
Executive Education
Network
Family & Career
Equal Opportunities
Fit and Healthy
Inspirational Work Environment
At the HSG, as Europe's leading business university, we operate in an entrepreneurial environment where you will meet highly qualified, ambitious experts - both regionally and internationally. For example, you benefit from a modern IT infrastructure and, in our library via HSGswisscovery, from nationwide access to the wealth of scientific information available.
Executive Education
We support internal and external executive education opportunities. Our internal executive education programme offers you a practical, dedicated and didactically mature transfer of knowledge in the form of seminars, e-learning, coaching and collegial advice. We support task-specific external training and executive education financially as well as with regard to the time required.
Network
We promote our culture of cross-functional collaboration and create space for forging valuable relationships - also with external partners. Regular exchanges and internal events help to strengthen these relationships and make them long-lasting.
Family & Career
We provide our employees with flexible work time models with a variable number of hours per week. As a family-friendly employer, we offer part-time positions, 16 weeks of maternity leave and a subsidised crèche, as well as support with childcare during the vacations.
Equal Opportunities
The University enables equal opportunities for all employees and students. This applies to degree courses and work, as well as academic careers, university management positions and the reconciliation of studies, work and private commitments. We are committed to this with various measures in the areas of teaching, research, administration and the Presidency.
Fit and Healthy
We help you stay fit and healthy. In addition to our diverse range of sports activities at the university, most of which are free of charge, and campaign weeks for corporate health management, we also offer you fruit in the workplace. In our canteen you will find a wide selection of freshly prepared meals - from vegetarian to fish dishes - at discounted prices.
Further information on working at the HSG can be found here.
For job-related questions
Director IBT-HSG
You would join a team of postdoctoral researchers and PhD students working on physical activity and life satisfaction, affective states, cognitive abilities, and life outcomes.
Administration
I would be very pleased to welcome you to the Uni-versity of St.Gallen soon. I am always happy to an-swer any questions you may have.
Your place of work
University of St.Gallen
«A place where knowledge is created» - As one of Europe's leading universities of economics and business administration, the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, is committed to the education of over 10'000 students. The HSG is one of the largest employers in the region and provides an attractive and innovative environment for more than 3'800 researchers, educators and professional staff.
